They face Villa at home on Monday while Wednesday travel to Loftus Road.

With both sides turning their form on at the right time, none of the other clubs in the play-off spots are guaranteed to be in the end of season four-way.

Last game

Opposition

Result

Shots

On target

Corners

Cards

Fouls

Possession

WEDNESDAY

Cardiff (H)

W 1-0

11

5

2

0

13

55%

CARDIFF

Bristol C (A)

L 1-2

16

5

3

4

11

50%

Wednesdaykept their fifteenth clean sheet of the season in Carlos Carvalhal’s 100th game in charge of the club.

The Owls welcomed Fernando Forestieri back to match action, as the second half substitute made an instant impact on his return by notching the only goal of the game.

Neil Warnock set up his Cardiff side in the same way that delivered success for his Rotherham outfit of last term: with two very deep banks of four and former Blade-loanee Greg Halford chopping at Wednesday midfielders.

It looked to have worked until three attacking substitutions turned up the heat on a flailing City backline.

Atdhe Nuhiu added his physical presence, while Jordan Rhodes and Forestieri combined to lift the roof off Hillsborough.

Big win

QPRhave now lost four on the bounce since hammering Rotherham.

The latest defeat came away at Bristol City, who had moved two goals ahead until a Yacouba Sylla consolation reduced the arrears in the sixth minute of added time.

Ian Holloway publicly slated his players in the aftermath of the game, suggesting his players showed a distinct lack of fight.

“Some of the things I saw in the second half were incredible. When you are 2-0 down and you get a free-kick surely you run to the ball and take it as quickly as possible.”

Rangers are all but safe with a seven point margin separating them from the bottom three.

“City didn’t even have to work for their goals. We need another win to be safe and we have been trying to get it for four games now.”

LAST 5

Cardiff (H)

Newcastle (H)

Rotherham (A)

Barnsley (A)

Reading (H)

WEDNESDAY

W 1-0

W 2-1

W 2-0

D 1-1

L 0-2

Bristol (A)

Brighton (H)

Villa (A)

Derby (A)

Rotherham (H)

RANGERS

L 1-2

L 1-2

L 0-1

L 0-1

W 5-1

Only Rotherham and Zola’s Birmingham are on as bad a run as Rangersat the moment.

Their problem seems to be goals, only scoring three times in their last six.

They have scored just 27 times in 21 home games, a record that stands at just over one goal per game if you remove their hammering of Rotherham.

They have won two and lost four of their seven home games against top eight opposition this season.

The Owls have won four and drawn twice in their eight travels to bottom eight sides this season.

The Owls’ defenders are on the ball at present

The Owls have won three on the spin, and four wins would go a long way to securing a play off berth.

Rangers are safely mid-table; the chance of the London outfit dropping into the third tier is nigh-on impossible.

HEAD 2 HEAD

WEDNESDAY WINS

CARDIFF WINS

DRAWS

29

16

21

LAST MEETING

Wednesday 1-0 QPR

22 October 2016, Cardiff City Stadium, Att: 25903

(Hooper 40′)

If you can remember this 1-0 victory, you have a better memory than me.

I was there, yes. I remember the goal happening. But anything else? No. Nothing. Not at all.

I’m not convinced this game actually happened.

It’s just a figment of your imagination.

CARVALHAL’S COHORTS

Glenn Loovens is deemed to be fit after his ‘rest’ against Cardiff last week.

Jordan Rhodes may benefit from Rangers’ less mobile defence and so could return at the expense of Steven Fletcher.

Fernando Forestieri is back, fit and firing.

After three wins from three, would you make any further changes?

No, thought not.

WESTWOOD

HUNT

LEES

LOOVENS

PUDIL

WALLACE

BANNAN

JONES

FORESTIERI

HOOPER

RHODES

KEY PLAYERS

GARY HOOPER – The first time I’ve selected a consecutive ‘Key Player’ this season.

Probably won’t start now. Never mind.

Nedum Onouha – Now considered an ‘experienced’ defender.

He’s a Football Manager legend, so I’ll bow to their knowledge in predicting future career paths.